Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Bernard Schiro and Mr. and Mrs. Richard Koopman, 1980.73.2, Connecticut Hi ...

Images(3)

Presentation Box

Original OwnerOriginally owned by Beatrice Fox (American, 1887 - 1968)

Original OwnerPresented by the employees of G. Fox and Co. (American, founded 1847)

MakerMade by Seaman Schepps (American, 1881 - 1972)

Date7 July 1947

MediumLacquered wood box with hand wrought 14 karat gold hardware and decoration and Lucite liner

DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (length x height x width): 6 x 2 5/8 x 4 3/4in. (15.2 x 6.7 x 12.1cm)

ClassificationsMetalware

Credit LineGift of Mr. and Mrs. Bernard Schiro and Mr. and Mrs. Richard Koopman

Object number1980.73.2

DescriptionWooden box with a hinged lid lacquered in black with gold leaf and outlined in gold paint. An engraved 14K gold plaque is set into the center of the lid. The lid is hinged at the back and latches at the front with a gold latch in the shape of an oak leaf. The top of the box is decorated with nine hand wrought oak leaves and several acorns applied to the lower left corner of the lid and to the center right. The gold plaque inset into the box lid is engraved on the verso with the signatures of the thirteen executives who presented the box. A removable Lucite divider partitions the box into four rectangular sections.

Collections

G. Fox & Co.

NotesMaker Note: Seaman Schepps (1881-1972) known as "America's Court Jeweler" was born on the Lower East Side in New York City, one of nine children of Hungarian immigrants. His name is said to have been inspired by the Seamen's Bank for Savings. At the turn of the century he went to California where he met and married the daughter of a prominent Illinois family. He opened an antiques and jewelry shop in Los Angeles in 1904 and spent time in San Francisco before returning to New York where he established several stores including the shop at 399 Madison Avenue which opened in 1933.

Schepps highly-original, bold designs were prized by many mid-twentieth clients including Katharine Hepburn, Doris Duke, and the Duchess of Windsor, as well as members of the Du Pont, Mellon and Roosevelt families. Commissions from several White House families led THE WASHINGTON POST to dub him "America's Court Jeweler." (E. Blakelock, 11/2008)

Status

Not on view